Education

BA, Harvard College, 2001

MM, New England Conservatory, 2003

Performance Certificate, Manhattan School of Music, 2004

MIA, School of International and Public Affairs at Columbia University, 2011

Biography

Chris Jenkins is a performing violist, educator, and administrator with an interest in the theory and practice of human rights, especially as they relate to equal access to music performance and education. He was deputy director and professor of viola and violin at the Barenboim-Said Foundation in Ramallah, West Bank, from 2013-14, and served as dean of the Sphinx Performance Academy, the Sphinx Organization’s summer music program for minority youth, for seven years. Third-place laureate of the 2005 Sphinx Competition, Jenkins was the founding violist of SPA’s resident chamber ensemble, the Catalyst Quartet. In 2010, he was honored by Sphinx with the Sanford Allen Award in recognition of his professional achievements as dean.

As a performer, Jenkins has played with the New York Philharmonic and St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, toured with Diana Ross, and played on Broadway shows such as The Lion King and Les Miserables.

In 2011, Jenkins earned a master's degree from the School of International and Public Affairs at Columbia University, focusing on the study of human rights and conflict resolution. He has taught and performed in Palestine, Pakistan, Israel, China, Colombia, and South Africa.